⁵¹ He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, ⁵² and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.^(A)

¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once^(A) were far away have been brought near^(B) by the blood of Christ.^(C)

¹⁴ For he himself is our peace,^(D) who has made the two groups one^(E) and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, ¹⁵ by setting aside in his flesh^(F) the law with its commands and regulations.^(G) His purpose was to create in himself one^(H) new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross,^(I) by which he put to death their hostility.

¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,^(A) the new creation^(B) has come:^[a] The old has gone, the new is here!^{(C) 18} All this is from God,^(D) who reconciled us to himself through Christ^(E) and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.^(F) And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors,^(G) as though God were making his appeal through us.^(H) We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.^{(I) 21} God made him who had no sin^(J) to be sin^[b] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.^(K)

²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully^(A) to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.^{(B) 26} “In your anger do not sin”^[a]:^(C) Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold.^{(D) 28} Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work,^(E) doing something useful with their own hands,^(F) that they may have something to share with those in need.^(G)

²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,^(H) but only what is helpful for building others up^(I) according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,^(J) with whom you were sealed^(K) for the day of redemption.^{(L) 31} Get rid of^(M) all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.^{(N) 32} Be kind and compassionate to one another,^(O) forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.^(P) 5 ¹ Follow God’s example,^(Q) therefore, as dearly loved children^{(R) 2} and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us^(S) and gave himself up for us^(T) as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.^(U)

The Weak and the Strong

14 Accept the one whose faith is weak,^(A) without quarreling over disputable matters. ² One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.^{(B) 3} The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt^(C) the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge^(D) the one who does, for God has accepted them. ⁴ Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?^(E) To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

⁵ One person considers one day more sacred than another;^(F) another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. ⁶ Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God;^(G) and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.

¹⁴ They all joined together constantly in prayer,^(A) along with the women^(B) and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.^(C)